Luanda: President Joo Lourenço announced on Friday in Luanda the construction and rehabilitation of several infrastructures destined for the higher education subsystem, under the government's strategy to strengthen the training of qualified personnel and improve the quality of education in the country. Speaking to the press after the inauguration of the Luanda Science and Technology Park (PCTL), the President stated that after the investments made in the Health sector, the government decided to adopt the same approach for Education and, in particular, for higher education. According to Angola Press News Agency, the president highlighted the completion of the Luanda Science and Technology Park and announced that the University Hospital of Agostinho Neto University will begin operating next year and that the Institute of Health Sciences will also be built, as well as the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Sports and Humanities. Joo Lourenço informed that the works on the third phase of the University of Namib e have resumed, as well as the construction of higher polytechnic institutes in Mbanza Kongo, Zaire province, Ndalatando, Cuanza-Norte, Cuito, Bié, Menongue, Cuando, and Soyo, Zaire province. The president announced the rehabilitation of the Economics and Science faculties of Agostinho Neto University, the construction of new infrastructure for the Rainha Njinga, 11 de Novembro, and Katyavala Bwila universities, the latter in the municipality of Baía Farta, Benguela province. The Head of State clarified that some of these projects are already underway and that others will begin. Joo Lourenço added that other projects, currently in the funding mobilization phase, include the headquarters of the José Eduardo dos Santos University in Huambo, the Lueji A'Nkonde University in Lunda-Norte, the Mandume Ya Ndemufayo University in Cunene, the Cuito Cuanavale University in Cubango, and the Kimpa Vita University in Uíge. Despite the focus on infrastructure, Joo Lourenço stressed that improving the quality of education also depends on the training of human resources. "Infrastructure is built with money, but the training of people requires time, experience, and continuity," he said. When questioned about the evolution of the quality of education in Angola, he expressed optimism, stressing that the country is moving in the right direction, as exemplified by the health sector, which has registered significant improvements in recent years. Located in the urban district of Maianga, next to the Faculties of Social Sciences and Engineering of Agostinho Neto University, the development occupies an area of approximately 60,000 square meters and includes nine specialized buildings dedicated to research, training, and technological development. Budgeted at approximately 100 million US dollars, the project was 90 percent financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and 10 percent by the Angolan state. The park includes a scientific research center, specialized laboratories, research centers, a technology business incubator, space s for established companies, a scientific library, an auditorium for 250 people, offices, a commercial area, restaurants, a research greenhouse, sports facilities, and extensive green areas.
